Phillies Sign Manager Pete Mackanin to New Contract

An interim manager last season, Mackanin has been inked to a two-year deal with an option for 2018 just before the end of Spring Training.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin watches batting practice before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin watches batting practice before a spring training baseball game against the Atlanta Braves. | AP Photo/John Raoux

The Phillies apparently like what they see in Pete Mackanin.

Originally just an interim manager after Ryne Sandberg stepped down last June, Mackanin was signed to a one-year deal with an option for 2017 late last season. Now the Phillies have ripped up that deal and signed Mackanin to a two-year deal with a team option for the 2018 season. The team announced the deal today.

There’s a lot to like about Mackanin no matter if you’re a new-school baseball fan who likes bat flips and choreographed celebrations or a grizzled old baseball man who liked the game back when “men were men.” Mackanin is relatively laid back, and leaves players alone if he feels it necessary. He can connect with players from Spanish-speaking countries because he speaks the language.

But he also issued 50-cent fines to players this Spring Training for not hustling. (The money’s going to charity.) And he can do calligraphy.

See? Mackanin is a man of many talents. And, last season, the Phillies went 37-51 under his watch: a .420 winning percentage. Sandberg had the Phils playing at a .351 clip.

When the Phillies promoted Mackanin from interim manager late last season, the team said it wanted the new general manager to be able to weigh in on any long-term hire. Matt Klentak is now the Phillies’ GM, and clearly he liked what he saw in Mackanin this spring training.

The Phillies’ managerial position is settled for at least the next two seasons. Expectations are low for the team coming into the season, but at the very least Mackanin will have them raising money for charity with his hustling fines.

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